Common search space configuration and system information acquisition

Abstract

This document describes methods and systems for common search space configuration and system information acquisition. As part of the methods and systems, a base station ( 120 ) wirelessly communicating with a user equipment ( 110 ) that is in an engaged mode determines ( 402 ) to configure a common search space through which the user equipment ( 110 ) can receive a system information block that is other than a system information block type 1 or a master information block. The base station ( 120 ) transmits a first message ( 404 ) that includes a set of common search space configuration parameters for the user equipment ( 110 ) to receive the other system information block. The base station ( 120 ) transmits ( 406 ), in accordance with the set of common search space configuration parameters, a second message that includes the other system information block.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method performed by a user equipment wirelessly communicating with a base station according to a 3GPP communication protocol or standard, the user equipment being in an engaged mode and the method comprising:
 receiving, from the base station, a first message that includes a set of common search space configuration parameters for the user equipment to receive an other system information block and an additional set of common search space configuration parameters for the user equipment to receive a system information block type 1; 
 configuring a wireless transceiver of the user equipment to monitor a common search space for the other system information block in accordance with the set of common search space configuration parameters; 
 receiving, from the base station, a second message that includes the other system information block, the second message being received through monitoring the common search space; and 
 receiving, from the base station, additional messages in accordance with system information parameters acquired from the other system information block. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the engaged mode corresponds to an RRC_CONNECTED state; and 
 the user equipment receives the first message using an active bandwidth part that is associated with the RRC CONNECTED state. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver of the user equipment monitors the common search space for the other system information block prior to receiving a system information block type 1. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the other system information block indicates a system information change. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first message is an RRC Reconfiguration message. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the other system information block is a system information block type 6, a system information block type 7, or a system information block type 8. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the other system information block is a system information block type 2, a system information block type 3, a system information block type 4, or a system information block type 5. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, to the base station, additional transmitted messages in accordance with system information parameters acquired from the other system information block. 
 
     
     
       9. A user equipment comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a computer-readable storage medium having a system information block manager application that, when executed by the processor, directs the user equipment to:
 while in an engaged mode, receive, from a base station communicating with the user equipment according to a 3GPP communication protocol or standard, a first message that includes a set of common search space configuration parameters for the user equipment to receive an other system information block and an additional set of common search space configuration parameters for the user equipment to receive a system information block type 1; 
 configure a wireless transceiver of the user equipment to monitor a common search space for the other system information block in accordance with the set of common search space configuration parameters; 
 receive, from the base station, a second message that includes the other system information block, the second message being received through monitoring the common search space; and 
 receive, from the base station, additional messages in accordance with system information parameters acquired from the other system information block. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the engaged mode corresponds to an RRC_CONNECTED state; and 
 the user equipment receives the first message using an active bandwidth part that is associated with the RRC CONNECTED state. 
 
     
     
       11. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the wireless transceiver of the user equipment monitors monitor the common search space for the other system information block prior to receiving a system information block type 1. 
     
     
       12. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the other system information block indicates a system information change. 
     
     
       13. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first message is an RRC Reconfiguration message. 
     
     
       14. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the other system information block is a system information block type 6, a system information block type 7, or a system information block type 8. 
     
     
       15. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the other system information block is a system information block type 2, a system information block type 3, a system information block type 4, or a system information block type 5. 
     
     
       16. The user equipment as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the processor further directs the user equipment to transmit, to the base station, additional transmitted messages in accordance with system information parameters acquired from the other system information block.